It’s funny how one second you’re fine and the next you’re sitting there with half a tooth in your hand, wondering what on earth just happened. I’ve seen it at backyard barbecues, in sports games, even in the middle of a quiet night in front of the TV. Sometimes it’s a little chip, and you can keep going. Other times… yeah, not so much. If you’re on the fence, getting urgent dental care sooner rather than later will save you a heap of trouble.

Not all broken teeth are the same

You’ve got your garden-variety chip — the sort you might not even notice until your tongue finds the sharp edge. Then you’ve got the bigger stuff: a crack that runs through the enamel into the dentine, a tooth that’s split in two like a log, or worse — the root fracture you can’t see until the swelling starts.

Chips: mostly cosmetic, no real pain unless they’re deep.
Fractures: can be shallow or run into the nerve.
Splits: when the tooth actually separates.
Vertical root cracks: sneaky ones — they hide, then cause infection later.
Knocked-out tooth: doesn’t even count as “broken” — that’s a straight-up emergency.

I learned early on that location matters. Break a front tooth and you’re self-conscious straight away. Break a molar and you might not care about looks, but the chewing pressure makes it a ticking time bomb.

Red flags you can’t ignore

Sometimes it’s obvious — like the day a mate of mine copped an elbow during basketball and went pale from the pain. But other times, the signs are quieter:

Pain that’s not just an ache but a throbbing pulse.
Seeing the nerve (yes, you can actually see it sometimes).
Blood is coming from the tooth itself.
Puffiness in your cheek or jaw.
Struggling to chew without wincing.

If that’s you, don’t wait. The Australian Government’s advice on what to do in a dental emergency is a solid place to start while you’re getting yourself to a dentist.

What to do in the moment

Okay, so the tooth’s broken. Before you start Googling “DIY tooth repair” — and please don’t — here’s what actually helps:

Swish warm water gently around your mouth.
Ice pack on the outside — keeps swelling down.
Panadol or Nurofen if you need it (read the box).
No chewing on that side — common sense, but easy to forget.
If a chunk’s come off, chuck it in milk or keep it in your mouth next to your cheek.

When I cracked a molar on an olive pit (rookie move while camping), I did all that, then waited out the weekend. My dentist patched it with composite before the crack had a chance to go deeper — lucky, because if it had reached the pulp, it was root canal time.

Kids are a different story

Little teeth, big energy. Kids’ dental injuries happen in playgrounds, on trampolines, chasing the dog — you name it. For baby teeth, small chips can sometimes just be smoothed over. But if the nerve’s involved, or it’s a big break, it needs attention straight away to avoid damaging the adult tooth underneath.

Permanent teeth? Treat them like gold. Even small breaks should be seen quickly.

A neighbour’s boy once tripped and chipped his front tooth. No pain, so they figured they’d “get around to it.” By the time they did, the crack had deepened, and the tooth was sensitive to cold water. The dentist ended up doing a filling instead of just smoothing the edge. A same-day visit could’ve saved them the bill.

**When you might wait… but probably shouldn’t**

Some breaks seem harmless: no pain, no bleeding, just a little rough edge. But here’s the thing — teeth don’t heal like skin. Even if you’re okay now, pressure from chewing can make the crack worse.

Tiny chip with no sensitivity? Book a dentist anyway — a week’s fine.
Hairline enamel fracture? Still worth checking.
Mild discomfort? Don’t ignore it if it’s hanging around.

Leave it long enough and you’re looking at decay, deeper fractures, or discolouration. I’ve seen a tiny chip turn into a crown job in under a year.

Why waiting is risky

I’m not trying to scare you — well, maybe a little — but here’s what can happen if you do nothing:

Infection in the pulp (root canal or extraction).
The tooth snaps clean through when you bite something hard.
Wearing down the tooth next door because of the jagged edge.
Jaw issues from your bite shifting.

It’s a short list, but it’s all stuff you don’t want.

What your dentist might suggest

The fix depends on how bad the break is and where it sits:

Bonding: for small chips — quick, painless, looks good.
Veneer: front tooth repairs for cosmetic smoothness.
Crown: for big breaks that need strength.
Root canal: when the nerve’s been hit.
Extraction: only if there’s no way to save it.

I’ve had bonding done before — you forget which tooth it was within a week.

How to dodge another break

You can’t bubble-wrap your mouth, but you can stack the odds in your favour:

Mouthguard if you play sport — custom-made, not the $5 chemist one.
Stop chewing ice (yes, even if it’s “just a habit”).
Deal with cavities before they weaken the tooth.
Get a nightguard if you grind your teeth.
Don’t use your teeth to open beer bottles — looking at you, Uncle Pete.

Night-time or weekend drama

Of course, these things never happen on Monday at 10 am. You’re more likely to be sitting on the couch at 9 pm, Googling your options.

Call your dentist — the voicemail might have after-hours instructions.
Look for an emergency dental clinic nearby.
If your face is swelling or you’ve got fever-level pain, the hospital ED is your backup.

You can also read up on dental emergencies after-hours tips, solid stuff for late-night disasters.

The bottom line

Small chips? Sure, you might have time. Pain, swelling, bleeding, or nerve damage? That’s your cue to move, not tomorrow — now. The faster you get it looked at, the simpler the fix, the smaller the bill, and the happier you’ll be chewing on both sides again.

When to See a Dentist for a Broken Tooth